Author - Jerry Paxton

Solasta: Crown of the Magister Early Access Trailer

2020/09/11
Jerry Paxton
Geek News, News, Trailers / Videos, Windows PC News

French developer Tactical Adventures announced today its upcoming Tactical RPG Solasta: Crown of the Magister will be available on Steam Early Access October 20. The launch date was announced in an exclusive gameplay trailer that shows the games unique features, including light, verticality, and distinguished tabletop gameplay elements as a party of four heroes ventures into the darkness on a brand new adventure through the world of Solasta.

Tactical Adventures is attending PAX Online, September 12-20, attendees are invited to stop by the Tactical Adventures booth to learn more about the upcoming RPG, join the game conversation and chat with the devs on Discord and play the free Solasta: Crown of the Magister demo on Steam during PAX Online.

Wizards of the Coast has granted Tactical Adventures a license to use the Dungeons & Dragons SRD 5.1 content and rules in Solasta: Crown of the Magister.

Solasta: Crown of the Magister is a team-based adventure game where each character plays a critical role in the campaign and can be a hero. The dynamic and mysterious world features elements of verticality, allowing players to use their surroundings as an element of strategy. Players can position ranged characters on high vantage points or send their thief down into shafts and caverns to scope out what lies ahead. In Solasta: Crown of the Magister, light is a tool to explore the depths and hollows of dungeons or can be used as a weapon against the creatures of the dark, but if players aren’t careful, it will give away the party’s position to nasty creatures bent on their demise.

Solasta: Crown of the Magister is coming to Steam Early Access on October 20. The game will be available in English, French, German and Simplified Chinese during Early Access – Tactical Adventures is looking to add more languages for the final release. Stay up to date with Solasta: Crown of the Magister: visit the website, wishlist on Steam, follow on Twitter, Instagram, like on Facebook, watch on YouTube, and Twitch, and join the conversation on Discord or the official forums.

Mondo Games Announces Disney Shadowed Kingdom Card Game

2020/09/11
Jerry Paxton
Geek News, News

Mondo Games is pleased to officially announce Disney Shadowed Kingdom, an easy-to-learn 2-Player co-operative card game designed by Imp House Games. Available now at MondoShop.com and select Target stores, the game will also see a North American retail release this October.

At a $20 cost, Disney Shadowed Kingdom contains everything needed for play in both basic and advanced difficulty modes, and is adorned by breathtaking illustrations from artist Marcel Mercado. The narrative at the center of the game was developed with expansion in mind; future releases in development feature innovative mechanics and play modes designed to further the story arcs and abilities of the Heroes introduced in this game.

“We’ve been extremely fortunate to partner with Disney as we design the Shadowed Kingdom line.” says Jayme Boucher, Director of Games at Mondo. “This first title allows you to dip your toes into the world we’re building. It introduces our setting, characters, and story in a streamlined format that combines teamwork with just the right mix of skill and luck. We wanted this game to work for families, for partners, for anyone looking for a 15-20 minute escape into one of their favorite worlds.”

In Disney Shadowed Kingdom, players take on the role of brave explorers, navigating mysterious streets and alleyways in search for lost remnants of Magic needed to return the castle and surrounding areas to their former glory. The catch: Shadow is everywhere, preventing players from hearing and seeing one another. They must therefore utilize memory and deduction to communicate without speaking or signaling.

The goal of the game is two-fold: Discover Magic and Dispel Shadow from the Kingdom. Turns center around playing cards into a face-down grid in one of two directions, either forward, forcing your partner to discover cards pushed out of the grid toward them, or sideways, dispelling cards from the edge of the Kingdom entirely. Only by discovering enough Magic to save the Kingdom can you win the game, however, uncovering too much Shadow will lead to failure. Silently keeping track of which cards have been played and their current locations within the hidden grid is crucial for success.

To keep things interesting, each location encountered while searching for Magic triggers in-game effects like randomizing the grid, peeking at cards, or discarding your hand. Fortunately, each player is able to enlist the help of their favorite Disney Hero (Mickey, Minnie, Goofy, Donald, Daisy, or Pete) to activate special powers to aid in their quest.

The launch of Disney Shadowed Kingdom precedes an exciting string of Mondo Games releases and announcements, including additions to the Unmatched series, a pair of social games the company has been conscious to incorporate remote-play rule-sets for, and more — including some they have a rule to NOT talk about…

THE ORIGIN: Blind Maid Teaser Trailer

2020/09/11
Jerry Paxton
Geek News, News, Nintendo Switch, PlayStation 4 News, Trailers / Videos, Windows PC News, Xbox One News

Badland Publishing joins forces with Warani Studios to bring PlayStation 4, Xbox One, Nintendo Switch and Steam users a terrifying first-person adventure.

THE ORIGIN: Blind Maid will take place in Gran Chaco, a vast region that stretches across Paraguay, Bolivia and Argentina, and its storyline will explore terrifying myths and legends of universal folklore.

Get ready to feel real first-person horror during the first quarter of 2021.

In THE ORIGIN: Blind Maid we will embody a real scoundrel, a corrupt politician on the run from justice after being accused of multiple charges. His plan was simple and seemed effective: to cross the Paraguayan Chaco in the company of his assistant to escape to Brazil. What this politician, the incarnation of one of the great evils of today, could not have imagined was that there he would encounter a much older and more implacable evil: Blind Maid, a supernatural entity with a tragic past that we will end up discovering over the course of five intense chapters… that is, if we don’t die first.

Conceived as a story of crime and atonement, THE ORIGIN: Blind Maid will force us from the first minute of the game to fight for our lives, crawling through the vegetation to escape the constant harassment of Evil while we explore different locations in search of objects and weapons that allow us to survive another hour in an environment as wild as little explored in the world of video games.

The choice of the Gran Chaco (a vast geographical region that extends between Paraguay, Bolivia and Argentina) as the setting for the game is a declaration of intentions from Waraní Studios.

Why resort to Anglo-Saxon, Asian or Central European myths, when the South American continent has a rich and terrifying folklore that has not yet been explored in video games? Get ready to see your faces with Karai Vosa, different kinds of ghosts and a real gallery of deformed creatures, terrifying personifications of the psychiatric disorders that tormented them in life.

How to deal with them? The main thing is to use stealth, especially in the early stages of the game, although later we can get different firearms to neutralize “tangible” enemies and objects, ranging from medicinal plants to holy water, with which to make spells that will protect us from ultra-terrestrial dangers.

In addition, we will be able to improve our character, both physically and mentally, and even spiritually, but there will be time to go deeper into it during the coming months in view of the launch of The Origin: Blind Maid.

Kholat Physical Edition Pre-Orders Available

2020/09/11
Jerry Paxton
Geek News, News, Nintendo Switch, Trailers / Videos

Red Art Games is pleased to announce that online pre-order for the physical boxed version of Kholat on Nintendo Switch are available now, with a limited edition of 3800 copies with a price of €29.99/£27/$35.

Billed as the most terrifying journey of your life, Nintendo gamers can experience this epic adventure game, which was created by Polish indie developer IMGN.PRO and narrated by famous British actor Sean Bean.

“We are very proud to announce the physical version of Kholat on Nintendo Switch – one of the best titles to usher in the new school term!” – Michael Binkowski – CEO of Red Art Games.

Kholat was previously released on PC /PS4 /XB1, where it sold over 700,000 units across those three platforms and accumulated over 3.5M users, becoming one of the most popular indie horror games. Kholat is an exploration adventure game with elements of horror inspired by the event known as Dyatlov Pass Incident. The player will plunge directly into the boundless scenery of the inhospitable Ural Mountains with the task of finding out what really happened. Controlling the main character you trace the steps of a group of nine Russian college students who went missing in February 1959 on Kholat Syakhl.

Kholat is told through a first-person horror adventure framework and presents an atmospheric storyline of intrigue and mystery. With standard survival equipment including map, compass and flashlight, the player must balance their health and well being with the challenges that unfold. A sense of unease will wash over the player as periods of time pass, the cold winds and wintery conditions that prevail as you move from location to location. Limited information in the form of notes and cryptic voiceover as the player journeys through the world add to the experience of feeling lost as ghostly figures roam looking for their prey!

Features

  • Narrated by Sean Bean
  • immersive exploration experience
  • Chilling atmosphere and tension
  • Self made story inspired by true events
  • Non-linear open world
  • Challenging exploration
  • In-game navigation by map and compass

Baldur’s Gate 3 Multiplayer and Cinematics Breakdown Featurette

2020/09/10
Jerry Paxton
Geek News, News, Trailers / Videos, Windows PC News

Larian Studio’s newest Baldur’s Gate 3 Community Update video, released today, breaks down the game’s cinematic ambitions for early access, which begins on September 30. It also introduces more interactivity through Stadia Crowd Choice and Twitch integration. A huge leap from Divinity: Original Sin’s rock-paper-scissors multiplayer interactions, Baldur’s Gate 3 features 1.5 million words, with fully cinematic dialogues.

Using a mix of performance capture and bespoke adaptive cameras, the game is able to react to whoever you are and whatever you do, both in multiplayer and single-player. With the addition of streaming integration, even viewers who may not own the game now have a say in the player’s journey.

Larian’s Cinematic Director, Jason Latino, explains, “You’re telling your story, and we’re shooting it for you. We’re taking that camera down from being above the players and down into the drama, right into the action.

“I can’t think of another early access game that’s done cinematics on this level,” he added. “There’s a lot of games where the moment you add cinematics, they have to get smaller. We didn’t want to do that.”

Community Update #6 – Multiplayer & Cinematics goes into detail about how Larian is combining a cinematic, player-driven narrative through early access, with multiplayer interactions both within and outside of the game session. It shows how far the team has come since Divinity: Original Sin, back in 2014.

When enabled by a streamer, Crowd Choice brings the journey to YouTube viewers, where Stadia viewers can vote. The streamer is seamlessly presented with the results in percentages, and can then choose to follow the players, or go their own way.

Twitch integration works by numbering each dialogue option, which corresponds to viewer choices. This feedback is seamlessly integrated into the game, where both streamer and viewer will see each percentage vote next to each dialogue option. What’s more, players will be able to interact with the Twitch overlay to access the player’s inventory, character sheet, skills, and spells.

Both of these features are launching day one of early access, respectively, on PC and Stadia. This not only brings the community closer to the player, but also, due to the amount of permutations in dialogues, enables streamers to “DM” their own adventure for viewers, letting viewers partake in the story regardless of whether they own the game. Players will be able to become a part of their favorite streamer’s own private canon. Or, as a streamer or viewer, hide the feature entirely. It’s up to them. As always, the game reacts appropriately.

Early access is rapidly approaching, and Larian is happy to launch with nearly everything needed to give players a sense of the ambition behind Baldur’s Gate 3. Dialogues have more permutations than ever before, and so too does the game. Not only does the game retain the narration previous Larian titles are so well known for, you’ll often see that action on screen — whether it’s a vampiric bite in the night, or a slip of the tongue on a goblin’s foot. Of course, there are many more for players to discover on their own.

Whether in solo, with friends — or streaming with an audience — no matter how you choose to experience Baldur’s Gate 3, the tools and systems that allow the game to adapt to the story forged by players are ready for early access on September 30.

For more information, turn to Community Update #6 – Multiplayer & Cinematics, which also features a lengthy community Q&A.

Knott’s Berry Farm Unveils Taste of Fall-O-Ween Event

2020/09/10
Jerry Paxton
Geek News, Halloween, News

While the theme park remains closed, Knott’s Berry Farm introduces its newest family-friendly outdoor food and retail experience celebrating the Halloween season and the flavors of Fall with Knott’s Taste of Fall-O-Ween. Taking place Fridays through Sundays beginning September 25th, Knott’s pays tribute to the year’s spookiest season with a Fall food experience unlike any other. The spirit of Halloween comes to life with a cornucopia of Harvest and Halloween décor that will transform the park for the season.  Guests of all ages can dress up in their most festive costumes* to experience one-of-a-kind themed food and treats, exclusive event merchandise including specialty items from local crafters, an all-new “Into the Fog” art show with over 45 new art pieces celebrating the scary season, and so much more. Plus included with a junior tasting card, young guests will have an opportunity to take a trip through the fully themed Camp Snoopy Trick-or-Treat Trail presented by Hershey, loaded with multiple treat stations and special spooky decorations. All Knott’s Taste of Fall-O-Ween activities will be conducted at a safe and socially distant space for families to enjoy.

Knott’s Taste of Fall-O-Ween will take place Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays, September 25 -November 1. The only way to experience the limited time Knott’s Taste of Fall-O-Ween is with a tasting card purchased in advance at knotts.com (a tasting card is required for event entry). Event hours will be Fridays and Saturdays from 12pm -9pm and Sundays from 12pm to 8pm. Regular tasting cards (ages 12+) are priced at $35 (plus tax) and will include five food tastings and Junior tasting cards (ages 3-11) are $20 (plus tax) and include three tastings plus a trip through the Camp Snoopy Trick-or-Treat Trail. Tasting cards are date specific and must be purchased online at knotts.com or through the Knott’s Berry Farm mobile app prior to the date of visit. Knott’s Taste of Fall-O-Ween hotel packages are also available at Knotts.com. In order to manage proper physical distancing of guests, Knott’s Taste of Fall-O-Ween tasting cards will be limited each day and may sell out.

HOW: As Knott’s Berry Farm continues to follow state, local and CDC health guidelines, these are the continued safety measures and operational changes we have established to ensure the safety of our guests:

  • Tasting cards are limited each day to ensure proper physical distancing
  • Upon arrival, guests will be required to enter a temperature screening and security checkpoint at the main gate
  • All associates and guests must wear a facial covering while visiting Taste of Fall-O-Ween or the Knott’s California Marketplace store locations and restaurants – masks are not required while sitting at a table or bench to eat
  • Frequently touched surfaces are disinfected daily and sanitized frequently. This includes but is not limited to cash counters, scanners, EMV readers, pens at cashier counters, register screens, store fixtures, door handles, and shopping baskets
  • Signage is present to aid guests in the proper direction of travel and as a reminder to practice social distancing
  • Seating is spaced out throughout the Taste of Fall-O-Ween event footprint
  • Hand sanitizing stations are available throughout the event area
  • All associates will be screened, including temperature and symptom checks using CDC guidelines before being allowed on the property to work
  • Associates have been trained on the importance of handwashing, physical distancing, and overall hygiene
  • Separate entrances and exits will appear at some store locations
  • Store occupancy is limited to less than 50% of the normal building capacity Queue lines outside of store locations are marked with six-foot markers where needed.

For all details regarding Taste of Fall-O-Ween and the park’s current health and safety screenings, please visit knotts.com.

* While guests are encouraged to come dressed in their most festive costumes, approved face coverings still are mandatory. Costume masks are not allowed as a substitution for required face coverings.

WHEN: Fridays, Saturdays, and Sundays, September 25 -November 1 / Fridays and Saturdays from 12pm to 9pm and Sundays from 12pm to 8pm

WHERE: Knott’s Berry Farm – 8039 Beach Blvd, Buena Park, CA 90620

 

Six Flags Great Adventure Unveils HALLOWFEST Attractions List

2020/09/10
Jerry Paxton
Geek News, Halloween, News

September 10, 2020 — Six Flags Great Adventure, the World’s Ultimate Thrill Park, today announced the 16 attractions that will take center stage at the park’s HALLOWFEST fall event that temporarily replaces its iconic Fright Fest. The event will feature Thrills by Day with family-friendly activities and Chills by Night with rides on monster coasters in the dark and haunting Halloween theming throughout the park. With a special focus on safety for both guests and team members, HALLOWFEST will include daily temperature checks and face masks required for guests and team members prior to entry, social distancing, and enhanced sanitization measures.

From 2 to 6 p.m, families and young thrill-seekers will experience HALLOWFEST Thrills by Day including:

  • Scarecrow Street – Guests are greeted with the sights and smells of autumn as Main Street is decorated in its fall finest with colorful mums, pumpkins, cornstalks, hay bales, and more;
  • Pumpkin Patch Lane – Between Fantasy Forest and THE JOKER, guests can stroll amid the pumpkins and hay bales. Located next to Yum Yum Café;
  • Hay Bale Maze – Kids 12 and younger can wind their way through the hay! Located on Pumpkin Patch Lane, the heart of the maze features a giant straw man photo opportunity. Located next to Yum Yum Café;
  • Trick-or-Treat Trail — Kids 12 and younger can meet friendly Halloween monsters and receive a bag of individually wrapped sweet treats. Located in the courtyard of Houdini’s Great Escape;
  • Magic on the Move – A mysterious magician on the move brings his mesmerizing feats to the streets;
  • Cornstalk National Park — This fanciful kids area on the Great Lake, complete with six rides for the little ones, is adorned with towering cornstalks. Located in Bugs Bunny National Park; and
  •   Halloween-themed specialty treats, like gooey caramel apples and funnel cakes made with Snickers candy, available for purchase.

Chills by Night begins at 6 p.m. and will feature four scare zones, three shows, and three haunted mazes available outdoors in the wide-open midways, plus one indoor haunted maze:

SCARE ZONES

  • Scarecrow Street After Dark – The cheery, festive Main Street area takes a chilling turn as evil scarecrows and zombies come to life in this scare zone around the orange fountain;
  • District 6 Unearthed – Ominous fog, eerie lighting, and sirens in this scare zone alert guests that mutant villains have seized control of this gritty Lakefront section at the end of Scarecrow Street;
  • Lady of the Lake Cemetery — Cursed by the Jersey Devil, drowned bride Guinevere – the bride in black — haunts the Great Lake along with her undead throng in this scare zone along the Lakefront; and
  • ClownTown – It’s all fun and games until wicked clowns bring mayhem and madness to the streets of Movietown in this unnerving scare zone;

SHOWS

  • The Emergence – When the clock strikes 6 p.m., the theme park takes a creepy turn as haunting sounds fill the air. A horde of ghouls infiltrate the midways, emerging from a different location each night so guests never know where fear will strike;
  • PrimeEvil Percussion – Driving beats hit the streets in this pulse-pounding percussion show; and
  • Street Cirque – Spellbinding performers bring their awe-inspiring talents to the midways throughout the heart of the theme park.

HAUNTED MAZES – Special Hallow-Maze ticket required

  • Mama’s Farm – In this haunted outdoor maze, Mama welcomes guests to her nightmarish homestead of half-human, half-animal mutants who dare to explore the backcountry of The Golden Kingdom;
  • Apocalypse – In this haunted outdoor maze, guests try to survive this raw world of scavengers trapped in a global catastrophe. Located in the Metropolis section;
  • Wicked Woods – In this haunted outdoor maze, guests dare to venture into the dark and haunted woods where evil creatures from fables and folklore come to life. Located near Cornstalk National Park; and
  • Reflections of the Dead – In this haunted indoor maze, guests come face-to-face with themselves as they try to escape a labyrinth of mirrors, mystery and mayhem. Located in Adventure Alley, this attraction features high-tech, special effects, and operates without scare actors.

Six Flags’ signature collection of world-class roller coasters ramp up the fear factor for a heart-pounding HALLOWFEST experience as guests fly through the air at high speeds in total darkness. Halloween gear, such as themed masks, witch headbands, light-up devil horns, and scary apparel, will be on sale along with everybody’s favorite glow-in-the-dark necklaces, bracelets and light sticks.

HALLOWFEST will kick off September 18 and run weekends through November 1 plus October 12 and select weekdays. The park will operate from 2 to 10 p.m. on Saturdays and Sundays, and from 5 p.m. with varying closing times on Friday evenings. Reservations will ensure limited capacity admission, and slots are expected to fill up quickly. The company’s comprehensive and ongoing safety protocols will be in effect for the entire run of the event.

Six Flags worked in partnership with its epidemiologist consultants to create a safe Halloween experience that meets or exceeds federal, state, and local guidelines. Park attendance will be carefully monitored to avoid overcrowding and all Members, Season Pass Holders, and guests with single-day tickets will be required to make a reservation to attend HALLOWFEST.

  • All team members (including scare-actors) and all guests 2 years and up will be required to wear masks covering the nose and mouth while in the parks;
  • No indoor shows or indoor haunted mazes with scare actors will be operated; haunted mazes and scare zones will be operated outdoors with social distancing strictly enforced;
  • A limited number of nighttime scare-actors will remain at least six feet away from guests and each other;
  • Guests viewing outdoor entertainment will be separated by at least six feet;
  • Props, rides, restraints, handrails, and dining and restroom facilities will be cleaned and sanitized regularly; and
  • Multiple alcohol-based hand sanitizer stations will be located throughout the parks for guest and team member usage.

For more information on HALLOWFEST and Six Flags’ comprehensive safety guidelines, visit www.sixflags.com/hallowfest

HALLOWFEST reservations are available at www.sixflags.com/reserve. Most HALLOWFEST activities are included with park admission, active Memberships and Season Passes. Chills By Night begins at 6 p.m. and is not recommended for children under 12 and those who scare easily.

The Wild Safari-Drive-Thru Adventure will operate daily through Sept. 27, then weekends and select days through Thanksgiving.

For more information, visit www.sixflags.com/greatadventure

The Suicide of Rachel Foster Console Launch Trailer

2020/09/09
Jerry Paxton
Geek News, News, PlayStation 4 News, Trailers / Videos, Xbox One News

Publisher Daedalic Entertainment and developer ONE-O-ONE GAMES are happy to release the first-person horror thriller The Suicide of Rachel Foster on PlayStation 4 and Xbox One today.

Get a glimpse of the story-driven thriller in the latest console trailer:

The Suicide of Rachel Foster is an intense first person investigation, where melancholy and nostalgia meld into a thrilling ghost tale. This is a truly immersive gameplay experience that has a multilayered narrative, an ending influenced by player choice and binaural audio to keep anyone on the edge of their seats.

This unique and atmospheric first-person thriller tells the story of Nicole, a young woman driven by her mother’s dying wish to uncover her family’s dark past. As she unravels the secrets behind the suicide of teenage girl Rachel, she is snowed in on a lonely mountain and explores the abandoned family hotel. Knowing her own father had a role to play in the downfall of Rachel, Nicole relies on the support of a young FEMA agent to unearth the truth once and for all.

Core features:

Explore the vast and detailed hotel, unravelling the dark secrets of the family’s past
Binaural audio for a truly immersive experience
Intriguing, touching and mature storytelling
Multi-layered narrative thriller, combining elements of mystery and horror

The Suicide of Rachel Foster is available for $19.99 on PlayStation 4 and Xbox One. For more details on the game, please visit https://www.tsorf.games/home/

Netflix & Chills Halloween Programming Lineup Announced

2020/09/09
Jerry Paxton
Geek News, Halloween, Movie News, News

Thrills, frights and Halloween delights are heading to Netflix this spooky season. Whether you’re a diehard horror fanatic or prefer less tricks and more treats, there’s a series or film for every ghoul to enjoy. But be careful, even if you’re a scream-seeking savage, these titles are still spooky, scary, Ratched. Check out the full schedule of Netflix Halloween season programming below!

Destroyer of Worlds Module Released for ALIEN RPG

2020/09/09
Jerry Paxton
Book News, Geek News, News

The Destroyer of Worlds cinematic adventure module and a new Starter Set for the multiple award-winning ALIEN tabletop toleplaying game were released today by Free League Publishing.

Having just won a Gold ENNIE Award for Best Game and a People’s Choice Award for Best RPG at the UK Games Expo, the official ALIEN RPG today got its first two expansions to the line. Both modules are as of now available in the Free League webshop, in digital format at DrivethruRPG, and soon in hobby stores everywhere.

Destroyer of Worlds, written by critically acclaimed sci-fi author Andrew E.C. Gaska, lets players take the role of an iconic type of character from the ALIEN universe: the Colonial Marine. A team of Colonial Marines get dropped onto the moon Ariaricus to handle a growing insurgency, but soon find themselves fighting for their lives against enemies beyond their worst nightmares. Priced at $29.99, the ALIEN Destroyer of Worlds Cinematic scenario comes in a boxed set, including maps, handouts, and cards for a fully immersive tabletop experience.

The ALIEN RPG Starter Set is designed to be the perfect entry point into the game and the ALIEN universe. Affordably priced at $49.99, it contains everything needed to start playing, including an abridged 104-page softcover quickstart of the core rules, 20 custom dice, reference cards, character handouts, a huge starmap, and the complete Cinematic scenario Chariot of the Gods, also penned by Gaska.

For more information, please visit alien-rpg.com. Both items are available on the website.